First off, a huge thanks to all of you who sent e-mails, posted comments, left texts & voicemails, in congrats of our 25th anniversary yesterday. We felt the love envelop us the entire day. Merci, merci.

I got to thinking a few weeks ago about how I write about dining experiences when we travel, but I don’t write about Seattle spots. Silly me. Which is a perfect lead in to Sitka & Spruce. It is just a few blocks from our home, so we thought it would be a great spot last night for our celebratory dinner. Plus it is next to Taylor Shellfish where we love to stop in and have oysters. We were set.

Chef/owner Matt Dillon has garnered all sorts of acclaim over the years, and it is easy to see why. Using the freshest, seasonal ingredients, he prepares simple dishes filled with amazing flavor. Last evening we thought we would order a variety of things and share. Here is a sampling. Matsutake mushrooms with chicken giblets, brussels sprouts, with an egg on toast. This was not our entire meal, it was just one dish. Another. Smoked trout, potatoes, crème fraîche, horseradish & rye bread. Another. Marinated beets with hazelnut tarator, sheep’s feta with a dusting of dukkah. And to top it all off, roasted chicken with house made yogurt, caramelized butter and turnips. All the above with fresh sourdough bread that is made at one of Matt’s other establishments, The Corson Building, which was served with duck graisserons. Add fab wine and dessert and it was a slow walk up the hill home. The atmosphere is warm, the service spot-on. For a special evening out or just a night you don’t want to cook and you want a comforting meal. All so good! Sitka & Spruce

Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.

— Haley from New York

Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.

— Newell Turner, Editor in Chief at House Beautiful

Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!

— Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook

Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.

— Kaye Wellman, author Eat, Shop, Seattle

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.

— Uncle Beefy at thebedlamofbeefy.com

I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.

— Apartment Therapy

I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!

— Marlien on Facebook

The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.

— Town & Country

#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift

— Howard Slatkin on Instagram

Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.

— Blog reader Kris

We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.